TheSamba.com :: View topic

Thu Jul 10, 2025 10:04 am

Quote: Bigger brake booster, improved brakes.

15 pages later and bigger booster equals poopy pedal. Adding a larger booster other than availablity, just didn’t process for me.

I suspect folks have been rebuilding brake systems and adding the larger booster getting that improved braking affect.

I’d have to see a study of 60 to 0 braking times and distance where the only difference is the booster size. Then I might be more inclined to go along.

Pedal feel is also a personal thing. Same with driving style and braking style. Also time behind the wheel. After driving our 2025 Outback, our 2004 Camry feels like the brakes are non existent at first stop by comparison. I personally like a heavy pedal. I always went up a size or 2 in the race car to increase the leg effort. For me it was easier to threshold brake with the extra effort. I don’t really use the Vanagon brakes much. I coast to a lot of signal lights and stops. I do use the brakes on descents , and they always seem good enough for me.

Thu Jul 10, 2025 12:44 pm

MarkWard wrote: I’d have to see a study of 60 to 0 braking times and distance where the only difference is the booster size. Then I might be more inclined to go along.

In a test, 60-0 times are 95% the tire, you know that. It's easy to stop the tire. A lot more difficult to stop the vehicle. Easier pedal feel doesn't reduce one time stopping power, it reduces fatigue and increases confidence in around town driving.

I'll say it again. Electric brake booster is the answer.

Fri Jul 11, 2025 4:58 pm

MarkWard wrote: Quote: Bigger brake booster, improved brakes.

I don’t really use the Vanagon brakes much. I coast to a lot of signal lights and stops. I do use the brakes on descents , and they always seem good enough for me.

Around here its pretty much all ascents and descents - brakes are essential! The stock brakes aren't really up to long descents - I've cooked them on the tintop coming down Duffey Lake Road. The vented A4 discs are a lot better.

Fri Jul 11, 2025 4:59 pm

Christopher Schimke wrote:
I have run Porterfield's R4S compound front pads on the street, and while a little dusty, I really liked them.

Can you compare them to Akebono, Reds or Yellows?

Sun Sep 21, 2025 11:45 am

do.dah wrote: Why not porterfield on the front?

Jake de Villiers wrote: MarkWard wrote: When switching compounds you need to bed them in. This process transfers pad material to the rotor giving you the grip you are looking for. Follow the manufacturer’s procedure. If not, look at hawk brake for their bed in directions.

Also, performance compounds have a best temp working range. Most driving Vanagon brakes aren’t that hot, so a compound for lower temps is better. You need to know your operating temp when choosing compounds. Higher is not always better.

I’ve got performance friction on the front, but their street compound. Brakes have always seemed better with some temp in them. Problem is in a panic stop, generating temp is an option. Not saying this is your problem.

Thanks, Mark. I also have a road racing background and am very familiar with how to bed in brakes. Hence the choice of Porterfield for the rear
shoes. Good people.

The EBC Yellow were excellent when warmed up but brutal cold. The Akebono are just okay at all times.
I'm looking at giving the EBC Reds a try - the description seems to fit my usage.